UN says Zimbabwe cholera spreading

World body says more needs to be done to fight outbreak that has killed 389 people.

28 Nov 2008 16:07 GMT

The cholera outbreak has affected urban centres in Zimbabwe [AFP]

"The rapid deterioration of the health service delivery system in Zimbabwe, the lack of adequate water supply, and lack of capacity to dispose solid waste and repair sewage blockages in most areas will continue to contribute to the escalation and spread of the outbreak," Elisabeth Byrs, the OCHA spokeswoman, said.

UN efforts

UN humanitarian agencies are working on the ground to ensure the delivery of medical supplies, clean drinking water and water purification kits.

Byrs said that basic hygiene kits comprising a bucket or jerry can, soap and water treatment tablets have been distributed to at least 4,000 households in the capital Harare.

Veronique Taveau, a Unicef spokeswoman, said that unlike previous outbreaks that mainly hit rural areas, the current epidemic is affecting densely-populated urban centres, "which leads to its rapid expansion and makes it harder to fight against the disease".

South Africa has reported seven cholera deaths over the last two weeks, all Zimbabweans or people who recently came from the country.

Phuti Seloba, health department spokesman in the South African border town of Musina, said that dozens of cholera patients from Zimbabwe enter the country every day.

South African health authorities have set up five cholera treatment centres along the border to handle the influx, he added.

Zimbabwe belatedly changed its tune on Thursday and asked for international help to fight the outbreak after long insisting that the situation was under control.

"With the coming of the rainy season, the situation could get worse," Edwin Muguti, deputy health minister, said.